Ramban, April 20, 2025 – A devastating cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ramban district unleashed flash floods and landslides early Sunday, blocking the strategic Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) at multiple locations, and disrupting power and water supply, officials confirmed. The disaster, compounded by heavy rainfall, hailstorms, and high-velocity winds, has caused widespread damage to homes, vehicles, and infrastructure across the region.
The cloudburst struck Seri Bagna village, killing three individuals identified as brothers Aqib Ahmad and Mohd Saqib, and Muneer Ahmad, after a house collapsed. Another cloudburst in Dharamkund village, approximately 20 kilometers from Ramban town, damaged around 40 homes, with 10 completely washed away. Scores of vehicles, including trucks and oil tankers, were buried under debris or swept away by overflowing streams. The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, the only all-weather road linking Kashmir to the rest of India, was blocked at five key points, including Panthyal, Seri, and Kishtwari Pathar, stranding hundreds of commuters.
“It was like a massive blast around 3:30 a.m., with muck and rocks blocking the highway by 4:30 a.m.,” said Sanjay Kumar, a local resident. Over 100 villagers were rescued by police, State Disaster Response Force , and local volunteers, who braved continuous rainfall to evacuate trapped residents. The district administration, led by Deputy Commissioner Baseer-ul-Haq Chaudhary, is conducting relief operations on a war footing, providing shelter and rations to affected families.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed grief over the tragedy, We are in touch with the local administration to ensure immediate rescue efforts.” He announced plans to review restoration and relief measures later Sunday. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha assured all possible assistance to affected families, while Union Minister Jitendra Singh praised the district administration’s swift response, offering additional support from his personal resources if needed.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a severe weather warning for April 18–20, citing an active western disturbance causing heavy rain, thunderstorms, and hailstorms. Ramban recorded a 575% departure from normal rainfall, with 16.9 mm in 24 hours ending 8:30 a.m. Sunday. Environmental experts, including Srinagar-based lawyer Badrul Duja, attributed the disaster’s severity to unchecked construction and highway expansion, which have weakened the region’s fragile geology, making it prone to landslides.
Power and water supply disruptions have compounded the crisis, with damaged infrastructure delaying restoration efforts. Schools, colleges, and technical institutions in Ramban were closed on April 21 as a precautionary measure. The Mughal Road, an alternative route, was opened for one-way traffic from Shopian to Poonch, subject to weather conditions, to ease connectivity.
Rescue operations continue as authorities prioritise saving lives and clearing debris from NH-44. The district administration urged residents to avoid landslide-prone areas and rely on official updates. A detailed damage assessment is planned once weather conditions stabilise.
